Difference between revisions of "Octal math"

From Delgar
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Okay, but now when I see the number "10" how do I know if it's a ten or an eight? Easy: Unless specified otherwise, it's ten. To do anything else would be very confusing. When a number is octal, it will be indicated with a subscript 8, like so: 10<sub>8</sub> = 8.
 
Okay, but now when I see the number "10" how do I know if it's a ten or an eight? Easy: Unless specified otherwise, it's ten. To do anything else would be very confusing. When a number is octal, it will be indicated with a subscript 8, like so: 10<sub>8</sub> = 8.
{{Note|1=For single digit numbers, this distinction is immaterial. 5{8} = 5{10<nowiki>}</nowiki>}}
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{{Note|1=For single digit numbers, this distinction is immaterial. 5<sub>8<sub> = 5<sub>10</sub>}}

Revision as of 02:08, 3 April 2021

Note: This article is about octal, which is a real thing. For more information, consult the other wiki.

The people of Delgar use octal math. What this means is that they write the number 7 with one symbol ("7") but they write the number 8 with two symbols ('10"). If you've ever studied numeric bases for some reason (probably computer science) you probably already understand this, but in case it's confusing, here's the basic idea:

In decimal (the numbers you know and love) we have 10 different symbols for numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. When counting, after passing 9, we have no individual symbol to write the number 10, so we write it with two symbols: one in the "ten's place" and one in the "one's place", like so:

Tens (101) Ones (100) Calculation Value (Decimal)
1 0 1×101 + 1×100 10

Octal works the same way, but it only has 8 symbols (like an octagon has 8 sides): 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. After 7, they use two symbols to write the number 8, like so: "10"

Eights (81) Ones (80) Calculation Value (Decimal)
1 0 1×81 + 1×80 8

Okay, but now when I see the number "10" how do I know if it's a ten or an eight? Easy: Unless specified otherwise, it's ten. To do anything else would be very confusing. When a number is octal, it will be indicated with a subscript 8, like so: 108 = 8.

Note: For single digit numbers, this distinction is immaterial. 58 = 510